1. The Accident: The story starts with the four teenagers - Helen, Barry, Max, and Julie - accidentally hitting someone with their car on a dark summer night. They panic and dispose of the body, believing they've gotten away with it.
2. The First Threat: The rising action truly begins with the arrival of the anonymous postcards, signed "I Know What You Did Last Summer". These postcards, initially dismissed as a prank, sow seeds of fear and suspicion.
3. The "Murderer" Emerges: The escalating threat becomes real with the arrival of a mysterious figure in town, named "Max," who is seemingly obsessed with Helen. He claims to know the truth about the accident and becomes increasingly aggressive.
4. The Investigation: The friends, fueled by fear and guilt, begin their own investigation, trying to uncover the identity of the person sending the postcards and the truth about "Max."
5. The Chase: The rising action reaches its peak when the friends realize "Max" is actually the person they hit, and he is seeking revenge. The pursuit intensifies as the friends try to escape and "Max" relentlessly stalks them.
6. The Revelation of the Truth: Throughout the rising action, the story reveals secrets about each character and their relationships. The characters' past mistakes and hidden desires surface as the story progresses.
7. The Climax Approaches: The rising action culminates in the friends finally realizing they must confront "Max" to survive. They are trapped, with no easy way out, and the climax of the novel is drawing near.
Key Points:
* Suspense: The rising action is primarily built on suspense, with a gradual increase in tension and fear as the threats become more tangible.
* Psychological Drama: The rising action explores the emotional and psychological impact of the accident on the characters, their guilt, and the destructive power of secrets.
* Mystery and Intrigue: The rising action is filled with mystery, as the characters try to unravel the identity of the person behind the postcards and "Max's" true intentions.
Overall, the rising action of "I Know What You Did Last Summer" effectively sets up the dramatic climax of the novel, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats as the tension steadily increases.